EU referendum: Voting under way in Scotland

Voting is under way in the European referendum, a ballot which could itself trigger a second vote on Scottish independence.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Jun 2016, 08:45 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 21:00 BST

This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.

SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon casts her vote in the EU referendum at Broomhouse Community Hall. Picture: GettySNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon casts her vote in the EU referendum at Broomhouse Community Hall. Picture: Getty
SNP leader and Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon casts her vote in the EU referendum at Broomhouse Community Hall. Picture: Getty

Polls opened at 7am in what is the second referendum for Scots in as many years.

In 2014 voters north of the border opted by 55 per cent to 45 per cent to remain part of the UK after a referendum on independence.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has repeatedly warned that result could be revisited if Scotland is “dragged” out of Europe against its wishes, if the UK as a whole opts for Brexit.

While voters north of the border are expected to back remaining part of the European Union, the picture across the UK is less clear.

Ms Sturgeon said yesterday that “Scotland can have a big impact on the final vote”, with voters north of the border potentially keeping the UK in the European Union.

She has however already revealed Scottish Government officials have been working on contingency plans for what could happen if the overall result is to leave the EU.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ms Sturgeon and the leaders of the four other parties at Holyrood - Ruth Davidson of the Conservatives, Labour’s Kezia Dugdale, Liberal Democrat Willie Rennie and Patrick Harvie from the Scottish Greens - have all been campaigning for a Remain victory.

But Ukip’s Scottish leader David Coburn MEP said he believed a majority of Scots could vote to quit the EU.

“Everyone is saying they are voting to Leave, and I find very few people who say they are voting Remain,” he said while campaigning in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

“I think there is a majority for Leave in Scotland, or it is very close.”

The Scotsman’s EU Referendum page: Keep up to date with latest news, polls and features.

DOWNLOAD THE SCOTSMAN APP ON ITUNES OR GOOGLE PLAY

Related topics:Brexit